Thomas Shaw

Thomas Barrett Shaw Passed away 24 November 2012 in Oakland. Tom was born in Sonoma on July 16, 1914.
Tom grew up in the Bay Area, attended local schools and began a 43 year banking career with the Bank of California in 1935 which was interrupted by four years of military service during World War II.
His community involvement in professional and civic organizations, and his continued support of the arts earned him such honors as the prestigious Benjamin Ide Wheeler Service Award in 1975. This Award is presented every two years by the Wheeler Service Medal Award Committee to a Berkeley resident who has had an eminent career in public life, business, international relations, education, music, art,invention, or other fields of endeavor.
Through the years Tom devoted much time to numerous professional and fraternal organization activities. He started with the Bank of California in San Francisco, later transferring to become Vice President and Manager of the Berkeley office. Well known for his continued support in the arts, Tom originated the idea of holding receptions to honor members of the city government and the University of California in the Bank's mezzanine, and also presented monthly art exhibits in the Bank branch. His community involvement included membership and officer posts with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Downtown Business and Professional Association, Berkeley-Albany Industries Association, Dwight-Shattuck Association, Berkeley YMCA, Berkeley Realty Board, Community Concert Association, the Campfire Girls, United Crusade, and Herrick Memorial Hospital where he served as vice president of the board of trustees and as a member of the executive board.
Tom was also an advisory council member of the American Institute of Banking, and past president of the Berkeley Clearing House Association. His civic affiliations included the Civic Art Commission, the Human Relations and Welfare commission, and the Personnel Review Board Committee. He served on the Friends of the UC Bancroft Library, and on the Library Board of Trustees for six years, during which time a new library was constructed and a librarian selected. He also served as secretary to the Friends of the U C Botanical Garden.
He was appointed an honorary Lifetime Trustee for Alta Bates Hospital in 1979, serving on the Herrick Hospital Board as well as the Health Care Center Board. He was a Founding Governor of the Herrick Foundation becoming an Honorary Life Member in 1983. Tom was a member of the Alta Bates Corporation / Alta Bates Health System, and was a Board member, serving as Secretary / Treasurer for the Alta Bates Foundation.
In his personal life, Tom was an accomplished furniture designer and cabinetmaker, as well as an avid gardener.
He is survived by Inga, his wife of 67 years and their daughter Susan.
Condolence donations may be made in his memory to the Alta Bates Summit Foundation, 2450 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705.